If You Ever Want to Make God Laugh...

Then tell Him your plans! : ) Yeah, this is a lesson I learn over and over again...

You see, my latest "plan" was to finish out our school year, get our pre-qual and spend the summer finding "THE" house and moving all in time to start our new school year... I'm SO funny, aren't I?... : )

So here I sit at my computer, in the same place it was when we finished out the school year, outside in my van are the three baskets of books that I picked up from our resource teacher yesterday afternoon. I have a schedule book and curriculum ready to go through and schedule... school starts on the 24th. I am SO NOT READY... and house hunting is HIGHLY overrated... But thanks be to God that He is still sitting on His throne on high watching over each and every one of us.

So "THE" house has failed to show itself yet... we've made 5 different offers on houses we thought could possibly be "it", but as it turned out, apparently weren't... and after a 90 day moratorium placed on foreclosures took place mid-June, the number of available houses has slowly ground to a halt... While in the past month to eight weeks there has been a house here or there to look at, nothing that "spoke" to me... It's been frustrating, to say the least... and then we have the news telling us that the economy is "looking up" because there haven't been as many foreclosures in the past couple of months... HELLO??!! Does it occur to these people that there was a 90 day STAY on foreclosures placed, oh, I don't know... A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO??!! OF COURSE there has been a slow down in foreclosures! sheesh...

Anyway, our beautiful friend and realtor is doing her best to find us the right home, putting the work out to all of her realtor connections that her family of 7 needs to find a home NOW... : ) bless her heart! I'm not sure if her diligence and anxiousness to find us a home isn't fueled by her wanting to be rid of us! lol... seriously, she and I have been ALL OVER this town... please pray for her! In the mean time, we have learned all kinds of new information about buying homes and tricks of the trade... our goal (and hopefully God's) now is to hopefully find something before November 30, in order to qualify for the $8000 rebate for first time buyers, from the federal government.... Mid September, the 90 day stay will be up, and it is expected that there will be a lot more homes flooded on to the market again... again, good news for us... so, all hope is NOT lost : ) I have taken to asking St. Therese to send me 3 pink roses to the right house... I've never been this specific with a Saint request, but I know others that have, so I figured it couldn't hurt to put it out there... I know that she is praying for us regardless, because I have asked... "Big house, big yard, safe area to raise my family...."

So, that's what I've been up to all summer. Some days are better than others, and I don't always feel too inspired to write, but I have missed my blog... I'm trying not to get too down and trust God knows what He's doing : ] often easier said than done.... but I'm a work in progress! Any and all prayers offered on our behalf are very much appreciated!

Notre Dame Pressing Forward with Trespassing Charges...

Friend, author and speaker Jane Brennan and Laura Rohling went to the Universtiy of Notre Dame on Friday may 8th in order to be a witness to students on campus that they regretted their abortions. They went to pray for the students and staff at Notre Dame with rosaries in hand.... They went and instead of being welcomed with open arms, for being a great witness for this most basic fundamental Truth of the Catholic Faith on a Catholic campus, they were met with handcuffs and arrested for trespassing.... I have earlier posted their open letter to Fr. Jenkins . Further details of their arrest and where the case is headed can be found at their website Free Jane and Laura. Check them out and consider helping in any way that you can...

With Friends Like This, Who Needs Enemies?....

My sister alerted me to this piece of brilliance....

Writer Removed from Near Air Force One at LAX

If you don't want to bother going to the link, the story is about a "Roman Catholic Priestess" and her protesting "Same Sex Marriage".... yeah... great... the irony... Obviously, that's not ALL she's "protesting"....

Okay, I'm sure she is a very nice lady (Honestly, I don't know, but I tend to give people the benefit of the doubt...) and I appreciate her "zeal" in her defence of marriage being between one man and one woman... but it just shows me how much these people that claim to be "Catholic" but choose to practice their own version of it, just really don't get it. If there is something about Catholicism that you don't understand or agree with, research it. Pray about it. Ask someone that knows, not someone that is going to promote their own agenda... It's a BIG Church and an open book... It really isn't too difficult, if you really want to find Truth... But then again, if you are more interested in molding the Church into your own version, then I guess you can. It's a free country(for now, anyway...).... Just don't call it "Catholic" aka: "universal", as in "in line with the Magesterium, and Her teachings, under the guidance and leadership of our Holy Father the Pope despite WHERE in the world you find it", when it's not....

It's Sad to Think That It's Come to This...

But the Thomas More Society has actually assembled a legal team of Notre Dame Alumni to defend friend and author Jane Brennan with Laura Rohling against trespassing charges on Notre Dames campus... I'm still wondering 'HOW does this make sense??'...

Notre Dame: Prosecutor Presses Trespass Charges
Against Pro-life Advocates
5/29/2009
Clarion Herald (http://www.clarionherald.org/)
Chicago-based Thomas More Society assembles a Fighting Irish legal defense
team.

NOTRE DAME (Christian Newswire) - Thomas More Society attorneys
appeared in St. Joseph County Criminal Court to defend two prominent pro-life advocates against trespass charges brought this morning by local prosecutors in the wake of protests at the University of Notre Dame.

Laura Rohling and Jane Brennan went onto the Notre Dame campus to educate students about the after-effects of abortion, based on their own personal experiences with abortion. Ms. Brennan, author of "Motherhood Interrupted," is a frequent guest on Catholic TV and radio. She serves as regional coordinator in Colorado of "Silent No More," a group which brings public attention to the plight of women who have experienced emotional and other pain after abortion. Ms. Rohling serves as assistant regional coordinator of that group.

"The Thomas More Society is urging the University to request that these trespass charges be dropped," said Tom Brejcha, President and Chief Counsel of the Thomas More Society. "Such a magnanimous gesture will go far toward healing the divisions that have arisen between Notre Dame and the pro-life movement, in light of recent events."

The Society has assembled an all-"Fighting Irish" team, including President and Chief Counsel Thomas Brejcha, Notre Dame class of '65,
Executive Director Peter Breen, Notre Dame Law class of '00, and South Bend attorney David Wemhoff, Notre Dame class of '79, in defense of Ms. Rohling and Ms. Brennan.

"What's vitally needed is dialogue about pro-life issues of abortion, stem-cell research, euthanasia, marriage, as well as about capital
punishment and peace issues rather than confrontation in South Bend's criminal court," Brejcha continued. "The pro-life movement is the next stage of America's civil rights movement, and Notre Dame is not Birmingham.

" The Thomas More Society has a history of partnership with the University of Notre Dame. The late Fr. Ned Joyce, former Executive Vice President of the University, was a regular financial supporter of the Society. Fr. Theodore Hesburgh, former President of the University, wrote fundraising letters in support of the Thomas More Society's successful defense of peaceable, non-violent abortion protests in
the landmark United States Supreme Court case, NOW v. Scheidler.

More can be found at Catholic Online.

Jon and Kate Plus Eight... give or take...

Broken families make me sad... My 6, almost 7 year old used to love to watch the TLC show, Jon and Kate Plus Eight. I have to admit that at first, even I would get a kick out of watching the antics of raising a set of twins and sextuplets under one roof, and even admired how Jon and Kate seemed to work so well together to raise their little ones... True, as a Catholic, I have some definite opinions about using fertility methods that usually are the cause of these multiple pregnancies, but after the fact, it's not really the child's fault of HOW they got here. So, that being said, watching this show, in the beginning, I was attracted to how this large family had become such a hit, in how they work together and make things "work"... Although I had lost interest in the last couple of seasons because it seemed to become more about "Jon and Kate take vacation comp trips with their kids all the time..."... How is THAT reality?... No, seriously, in "reality" especially with a big family, you just can't take vacations all the time. Every family is NOT asked to take a 'comp' trip to anywhere from Disney world to Hawaii week after week...

Now any of you that watch the show, if you'll recall the beginning of just LAST season, the opening was all about the family returning to Hawaii to renew their wedding vows, and it was all about showing and assuring their growing children that they (Jon and Kate) were together FOREVER... Now, this season opens with quite the opposite... I watched it, hesitantly after everyone else had gone to bed and it just made me so sad... I really don't "know" these people... other than what is allowed to show through the TV screen on Monday nights... Kate is a little bit OCD and Jon is pretty laid back... as different as their personalities could be, they seemed to fit one another and work it through... but now, for whatever reason, they can't seem to, anymore... why?... In my humble opinion, if it were MY family, whether the rumors were true or not, the show would be over... at this point it seems that it is all about the money and how much everyone can make on this show, this family, these children...

By their own admission, Jon quit his job two years ago, so that he could stay home full time with the kids, while Kate traveled the globe promoting her book... Their "show", their "hobby" had become the "job"... sadly, it's almost like they sold their souls... We were no longer looking "in" on their day to day lives, but the show had become their lives... While Kate seems to have taken to this new "job" I think Jon, down deep, was seeing real "reality"and regretting it... The premier show last night had the two now speaking to each other in terms of "I don't know if we can fix this" or "where our future is going", etc... yet they are both all about "I'm here for the kids", "the kids are our top priority"... and I'm thinking, "You stupid, stupid people... don't you KNOW that 10 and 20 years from now the kids aren't going to give a flying flip about the show or how or where they lived or how much money or fame they had because of the show??! They will care about their family... their PARENTS... they will care and be affected by whether or not the family stays in tact over this..." I don't care HOW amicable a couple thinks they are being in a split up... if kids are involved, they WILL be affected negatively... I think that was even in the closing lines of last nights show... about trying to remain friends for the sake of their kids... it doesn't matter... kids aren't stupid and they can read the writing on the wall... Kids want mom and dad together forever...

I found myself praying for this family as I went to sleep last night, and again this morning, as well as all families that are in turmoil right now... broken families really make me sad... and the kids are always the biggest casualty... And these eight particular children unfortunately have their families turmoil recorded for all of history... was it worth it?... Something I have heard before, and I'm not really sure who said it, but I believe it with all my heart:

"The greatest gift that a father/mother can give his child(ren) is to love their mother/father"... Jon and Kate seem like nice enough people, I really hope that they figure this out before it's too late... Life is not a TV show and sometimes it can get messy... That's when we have to close the door and hit the floor praying for His strength to help us through...

Bed Time Prayers...

Reading up on Matt Archibald at the Creative Minority Report reminded me how good it is to have some routine in life... Sure, routine can get boring or monotonous or pick another similar word to insert here... but routine brings security and peace in knowing that somethings shouldn't change...

In case you haven't noticed (I have...) I haven't posted a whole lot of what's been going on in my home life as of late... I guess because life has just been so crazy... We've been trying to finish out our school year, trying to do some house cleaning and re-organizing (yeah, right... ), trying to pre-qualify for a house, and hoping and praying that God will find us the "perfect" home, once we get the other stuff out of the way... Trying to occupy a two year old, juggle an infant, and get some semblance of school work out of the older three on top of this, it's been a bit stressful...

The economy is bad (like you haven't noticed : ] ) and since Tuesday's election, $2 billion more will be cut from education... and while my hubby isn't a teacher of children, he IS a teacher of school bus drivers, in charge of training those that pick up your children and take them to school... So, yeah, it's a little scary to think about his future job prospects, especially in light of our trying to buy a home...

I know, we aren't the only ones affected... Jobs ALL OVER are in jeopardy... I have to sit and wonder WHERE IN THE WORLD is the future of this STATE headed?... Thank God for my Faith! Because i honestly don't know HOW ELSE I could see ANY good out of any of this! It would be SO EASY to get down and depressed... Sometimes i do... But right now, I'm not... I get frustrated, but not hopeless. In my heart, I know that God is still in control here, and the best thing I can do for my self and my family, right now is to stay grounded to Him... and in return, He grants me little tid-bits of light, here and there, of where I can actually SEE His work... in me, in my family... Which brings me back to routine...

I went to put the two year old to bed the other night, after an especially trying day... Not much sleep the night before, dealing with screaming, crying kids through most of the day, lots of teasing and just general orneriness going on. It was bed time and I wanted nothing more than to just put them all to bed and have some quiet time before I fell asleep, myself. I took the 2 year old to the bathroom, had her use the potty, I cleaned her up with a wash cloth, threw a diaper on her because I didn't want to have to get up with "accidents", walked her to her room, put her in the bed, covered her up, almost zombie like, on my part, turned out the light and started to close the door.... "Mom-mom! Mom-mom!"

"What, #2?... Go to sleep! Mommy's tired!..."

"Mom-mom, mmem..."

Though she is starting to talk a lot more, it still takes some skill to translate, so I said, "uh-huh... good... go to sleep..." and started to shut her door...

"Mom-mom! mmem..."

"What are you talking about?.. Mommy's tired!" I looked at her this time and there she was sitting up, giving her best effort to do the sign of the cross, mumbling and finishing off with "mmem", translated "Amen", then folding her hands, waiting for me to say prayers with her...

oops... forgive me Father... So, tired as I was, I went to her bedside, knelt down and began "Angel of God, my guardian dear..." and she mumbled her way through every word, with a resounding "Mmmemm!" at the end, then leaning forward with lips puckered for a kiss, says, "luv-oo"... and rolled over fast asleep, probably before I was able to haul my fat, tired fanny up off the floor! lol... "I love you too, sweetie... have nice dreams..."

yeah... routines are good... And God is still in control... and He'll use the smallest among us to remind us! : ) Amen and amen!

In Local News...

There are some things that happen in life that really cause me to cry out and ask God, "WHY??!! What POSSIBLE "good" could come from this??!!"

A warning to those that choose to read this entire article. It is quite graphic... Please pray for this child, and his family... The image has haunted me since I first heard of it on the news... May God have MERCY...

Father Accused of Eating Child's Eyes Out

I've Said it Before and I'll Say it AGAIN, "Just BE Catholic!"

On Catholic Complacency in America....

"Some Catholics in both political parties are deeply troubled by these issues. But too many Catholics just don’t really care. That’s the truth of it. If they cared, our political environment would be different. If 65 million Catholics really cared about their faith and cared about what it teaches, neither political party could ignore what we believe about justice for the poor, or the homeless, or immigrants, or the unborn child. If 65 million American Catholics really understood their faith, we wouldn’t need to waste each other’s time arguing about whether the legalized killing of an unborn child is somehow ‘balanced out’ or excused by three other good social policies.We need to stop over-counting our numbers, our influence, our institutions and our resources, because they’re not real. We can’t talk about following St. Paul and converting our culture until we sober up and get honest about what we’ve allowed ourselves to become. We need to stop lying to each other, to ourselves and to God by claiming to ‘personally oppose’ some homicidal evil -- but then allowing it to be legal at the same time." --Archbishop Chaput

Fr. Weslin Arrested at Notre Dame

This brings tears to my eyes... If this doesn't cause you to recognize the Spiritual Battle that we are in and cause you to pick up your rosary to pray, I don't know what will...



h/t to WICatholic

An Open Letter to Fr. Jenkins...

From two women that really deserve an answer... Thanks, Janie and Laura! We are SO proud of you!

Letter from Two Catholic Women Arrested at Notre Dame
5/13/2009
Catholic Online (http://www.catholic.org/)

We held signs that say “I Regret My Abortion”. We also gave our testimonies and prayed the Rosary with other Catholics who supported us.


An Open Letter to Fr. John Jenkins
President
University of Notre Dame

Dear Fr. Jenkins,

We are writing this letter to you in hopes that you can clear something up for us.

We are two Catholic women who reside in the State of Colorado. We made tragic mistakes in our younger years by having abortions. We came to the University of Notre Dame last Friday, May 8, to witness to the harm caused to us by our “choice.” We held signs that say “I Regret My Abortion”. We also gave our testimonies and prayed the Rosary with other Catholics who supported us.

We did this in hopes of saving young women years of pain, shame and guilt. We did this because college aged women have the most abortions. We did this because we wanted these young women to know that women deserve better than abortion and that women can achieve the things that they want without having their babies killed. We did this because we believe in the fundamental right to life of all human beings who are created in the image and likeness of God which is a dogmatic teaching of the Catholic Church.

We have both attended Project Rachel and Rachel’s Vineyard retreats – both Catholic healing programs for those suffering from abortion. We then joined “The Silent No More Awareness campaign”, a program sponsored by a Catholic Priest – Fr. Frank Pavone.

In all of these programs we were taught about the acceptance and mercy of God and our fellow Catholics. Also, in these programs we were encouraged to seek the counsel of a Catholic Priest – that they would help us to find redemption in the sacrament of reconciliation. We were also encouraged to share our stories so that the Catholic community and the greater community at large could hear first hand of the devastating effects of abortion.

While speaking these truths on Friday we were issued a Trespass Notice by security officers hired by the University that in part states “The University has the right to tell us that we are not wanted on University property.”

Imagine our shock after receiving this notice and being barred from speaking further, we were arrested and thrown in jail. We spent the day in a holding cell until we posted a $250 bond. As we now understand things, we are awaiting news as to whether the charges against us will be misdemeanor trespassing or a felony. This happened all because we wanted the students to know through our stories how devastating abortion is to women.

We are confused, Fr. Jenkins. Why would a Catholic University bar Catholic women from speaking the truth about a fundamental Catholic teaching, under the signage of a healing program that is sponsored by a Catholic priest, while praying the Rosary? Yet, the University would welcome, honor and have a person speak at Commencement who is virulently opposed to this same fundamental Catholic teaching?

Fr. Jenkins can you please explain this to us?
We look forward to your response.

Jane Brennan, MS
Laura Rohling
Centennial, CO
www.motherhoodinterrupted.com

Who Needs Enemies?...

Christians (Catholics included) are birth controlling ourselves right out of existance! Pay attention, because these statistics are alarming!

From the Crossroads Initiative


By today's standards, the secular agenda is trying to convince us that our children are the problem when in reality they are the only future Hope that we have!

The Latest Ad from CatholicVote.org

This is the latest video from CatholicVote.org, and with any luck will be airing during the season finale night of American Idol.



Thanks to the girls at Defining Beauty!

Fr. John Corapi on Notre Dame Scandal

The REALITY of Abortion Hits ND Campus

The latest from Jill Staneck and World Net Daily is that the consciences at Notre Dame are being challenged, and they don't like it, one bit. I like how the liberals like to blame people that believe in a person's Right to LIFE.... referring to us as "Abortion haters" and all... But could someone tell me WHO "loves" abortion??!! No one, does... Some love the "power" and politics behind abortion... When they are faced with WHAT abortion actually IS and LOOKS LIKE, nope.... they don't like it... and they don't want to acknowledge the reality... It's much easier to use "words" like "anti-abortion" and "abortion-hater"... after all, if WE use words to refer to them as "anti-life" or "pro-death" they scoff, and you will NEVER hear the media use the terms... It's all about the words... You've heard the term, "if words could kill"?... This one actually does.... Check out the entire article at the above link...

It's Time... The Lines are Being Drawn...

You know, I haven't had a whole lot of time to blog these last few weeks, but I have been following and listening closely to the Obama/Notre Dame controversy, and even engaging in dialogues with ND alumni. One of the arguments, and I can totally understand, is that Obama's visit to the campus should not take away the honor due to the graduates and their "moment to shine" on their graduation day. I can totally understand that these graduates worked hard for their degrees and deserve to be recognized for this esteemed accomplishment.... But really, are we not at war, here?... Lines are being drawn in the sand ALL AROUND us and "Sparky himself" is asking "WHAT are YOU going to DO about it?!" What side are we on?...

No disrespect for the graduates, but like a wedding day, graduation is ONE day... What will you do with the REST of your life?... Despite what career path we will take, God asks us continuously, WHERE does HE fit in?... What are we going to do in order to remain close to Him?! Sure, we can say "what's the big deal?... let's 'dialogue'" or, "IF Obama was really aware of the controversy he was causing, I'd like to think he'd bow out..." yeah... I've actually heard that one... Are you kidding me?! The man KNOWS EXACTLY what he's doing! He is VERY AWARE of the controversy he is causing... Fr. Jenkins is VERY AWARE of the controversy this is causing, though I'm not sure that he knew that it would cause AS MUCH as has been demonstrated...

And then there are those who fan the flames with typical secular media rhetoric... claiming that "Violent pro-life advocates" are the problem, storming the campus by the thousands, compromising the Presidents safety.... One alumni that I've spoken with made reference to the thousands demonstrators that will be BLOCKING the families from going to their son or daughters graduation... This isn't about keeping families from their kids graduation! It is about the SCANDAL that Fr. Jenkins and President Obama are bringing to Notre Dame and her graduates!! Graduation is still two weeks away! How can they even write about something that hasn't even happened? This is about the opportunity, especially for the graduates, to stand and say, "I am Catholic and I STAND on the side of LIFE at all stages and there is no other option. I am NOT going to stand for this disregard to my core beliefs in Faith that SHOULD BE protected and defended on this Catholic University Campus...." THAT would be their real moment to shine....

Pro-life means valuing ALL life... from conception until natural death... yes... even the President's.... I pray for him to have a change of heart.... I pray for his soul... But, for right now, he has done nothing during his time in office to show me that he is in defence of preserving all human life. He has actually done quite the opposite with his rescinding of the Mexico City Policy, funding abortions over seas with my tax dollars , funding of embryonic stem cell research, his intentions with FOCA, and his reference to unplanned babies as a "mistake" that can be rubbed out, and the multiple (Catholic) anti-life appointments to his cabinet, to name just a few.... He, and this administration have drawn the lines, and we can't remain silent. I really appreciate what Ann Scheidler had to say at the end of this video...

Pig Flu...

I am of the mindset that as terrible as the Swine Flu epidemic is, I don't believe that it is as catastrophic in the US as the news media would like us to think... It seems the first 5 + minutes of every newscast is packed with the latest Swine Flu updates.... I believe that it's just the secular media trying to convince us of how devestating this COULD be and how well this current administration is taking care of us... ppphhhhttthh... whatever... If you're sick, stay home. Wash your hands, don't spread your germs.... All good practices that we should have as habits, anyway.... I guess what really annoys me is how quickly our own parishes/dioceses are to jump on the "political bandwagon" when it comes to these sorts of things.

What I mean is that, some bishops are slow to "do anything" in order to avoid adverse reactions when it comes to defending our Church and our Faith. Some are afraid to "make waves" in their own parishes and diocese when sometimes horrible liturgical abuses are going on... yet, the moment the media sets everyone in to a tail spin of swine flu madness, immediately directives are being sent out to not only stop distributing the Precious Blood, but the Eucharist MUST be received in the hand (I don't know about you, but I touch a lot less with my tongue than I do with my hands... and anyone with young children knows that their hands don't stay clean for long...) until this passes.... this was particularly tough for me, because my two oldest boys, ages 10 and 13, have always been told to receive on the tongue. I try to remind them and show them and teach them the beauty, dignity and respect to be given to Jesus in the most Holy Eucharist. I have grown tired of seeing so many young people shuffle up to communion seemingly without giving the least thought to receiving Our Lord as anything other than their obligatory "snack" sometimes just pulling their hands from pockets at the last moment, then "popping' the host in to their mouths... nope... I told my kids that they can receive on the tongue. Jesus' body was meant to be consumed, not 'popped'... Nothing against adults that choose to receive this way. My husband does. I understand that it is a choice allowed by the Church and can be done properly and reverently... I have more issue with the young... I feel that it can take away from the reverence and mystery that the Eucharist is supposed to instill in us. But again, that is my opinion....

Anyway, knowing the Monsignor of our Parish was going to read the Bishop's letter explaining the "temporary" new guidelines, we had to explain to our sons how to receive Jesus in their hands... But if that wasn't enough, the Bishop also decided that the Holy Water Fonts should also be emptied... : ( I'm sorry, but I thought that that was just going a little bit too far... My two year old was especially annoyed by this when she went to reach for the font, only to find the empty ring that holds the bowl in place... After that, when we went to sit down in our pew, she tried to say something to me that I couldn't quite "translate" but I'm pretty sure it was something about how the Bishop was going to hear from her.... : ]

Jamba Juice...

I had to look this up for my beautiful niece and God-daughter... She will TOTALLY get this... : )

It Makes SO MUCH Sense, it's Scarey....

h/t to WICatholic. I know I have had LOTS of other stuff going on in my home life, and I've neglected my blog a bit... But this gets me so upset and I think it's so important! I've mentioned before in my blog wondering if anyone else was noticing that Obama seems to have dug up EVERY liberal -small "c"atholic he could find to fill his cabinet?! It's ridiculous! This news update from RealCatholicTV explains a lot. And I hadn't heard of this news channel before, but I liked what I saw, so be sure to check them out!

Some "Fresh Air" In Store for CA Catholics?...

My sister sent me this interesting article... Half of California's Bishops are 70 or over and nearing the mandatory retirement age of 75. So what do you suppose will be in store for Catholicism in California?... What will become of Roger Cardinal Mahoney's diocese? ... and his "Religious Education Congress"?... It certainly is exciting to think about! I'm thinking that there will be some "wheat sifting" at the very least, over the next few years... I agree with the last line from the news article, though, "...may the Lord grant Pope Benedict XVI good health and long life!” Amen and amen!

One Les-, no, Two Le-, wait a minute, Three L---, TWENTY NINE LESS...

One of my first blogs last year was about Gardisal being pushed on to our young daughters as early as the age of 9, to help in the prevention of "certain strains" of HPV.... That's going on the assumption, of course, that "most" girls will start having sex at that age... so "they" say...

Anyway, syndicated columnist and author Mary Beth Bonacci gives this shocking, yet unsurprising, update on the use of Gardisal on our young daughters... And I just have to wonder what it will take for parents to stop letting secular society tell them what's best for the health of their children?... In this day and age, I, for one, am growing more and more leary of the "advice" shoveled out to me disguised as what's "best" for mine... Parents beware, be careful, be informed....

Easter Sunday

Jesus Christ is risen today, Alleluia! We had beautiful weather for this holiest of days! After early Mass we spent the day with family, enjoying the weather, the company and good food! Here's wishing you all the blessings and graces that our Risen King brings to those who call on His Name!

What's my Line?

I loved this... A wonderful memory of a wonderful priest to share for this Holy Easter!

Enjoy!

Triduum Reflection

Thirteen years ago, Holy Thursday, I stood before 60 teenagers finishing the last day of their drivers ed class..(yes, 60... I kid you not...). I was 8 1/2 months pregnant with my first baby and had a doctors appointment for that afternoon, as soon as class was over. The doctors office, anxious to finish up their appointments and leave for their long holiday weekend, called me during the day to see if I could make it in any earlier. I told them that I was teaching a class but I would try to be there by 3:00.

With my 14 year old step-daughter in tow, we headed to the doctor's office, expecting nothing more that the excitement of hearing the babies heartbeat, again... However, after my arrival, and being their last patient for the day and the only one in the office, what we thought was going to be a quick check up turned out to be something quite different... The routine, preliminary tests (blood pressure and urine) turned out to show signs of pre clampsia and the not so calm Physicians Assistant (my doctor was already gone for the day...) began barking at me "not to panic!" and how did I get there, and who was driving me and then the same to my step daughter (who did not drive...) and then began telling me that I needed to get straight to the hospital, but the hospital i was registered at didn't handle high risk babies, so if something went wrong with the baby he would have to be transferred to another hospital, or I could just go to this other hospital and avoid the possibility of being separated from my new baby altogether... yeah... real calming words...

So, it didn't take me long to decide that I would just go to this other hospital, if that's what needed to be done, now the question was "how?"... Would they call me an ambulance, or could someone come get and take me?... My stepdaughter called her dad and brother, and they were down to the doctors office withing 20 minutes to take me. Once at the hospital I signed in and was put in a room with monitors and nothing to eat since lunch earlier that day. At 8pm the nurse came in to my room where my husband was sitting with me, discussing that they would induce me in the morning when she told my husband with a BIG smile "visiting hour ova..." My husband smiled back and told her "No. I'd like to stay with my wife a little while longer..." this was our first baby, and I had no prior problems with the pregnancy, so this was all still sinking in last minute. The sweet Korean nurse smiled again and shook her head, "Visiting hour ova..." My husband again explained to her that he would like to stay a little while longer... after the third time she smiled and left and we finished up our time and he hesitantly went home for the evening, assuring me that he would be back in the morning.

I slept through the night as best I could, never having been given any dinner, and not being too sure of the immediate future, and trying to contemplate being a "mom" very soon... Very early the next morning I was wheeled to another room and "induced". Because of the pre clampsia, I was not allowed to move around, but given a catheter and some pillows, getting as comfortable as i could while I waited for the labor to come... It was Good Friday...

I remember labor pains coming and going. I remember friends and family stopping in to check on me throughout the day. I remember when my water broke that evening and the nurses coming to help... again, I wasn't even allowed to get out of bed... My labor continued long in to the night, and I was given some kind of pain medicine that made me more loopy than anything. I guess it was a good day for fasting, because I never did get anything to eat, from lunch the previous day...

By midnight I was in the delivery room and anxious to push, but the nurse would keep telling me "not yet..." THAT was agony! FINALLY! the time came and I was able to push! but between the pain medicine, being exhausted and my blood pressure spiking and plummeting I was in and out of consciousness... It took some extra help from the doctor, but I was finally able to deliver a healthy, beautiful baby boy, 7 lbs. 8 oz., at 12:35am, Holy Saturday morning... God is good... It really is true that the "bad" really doesn't seem to matter, once you hold that baby in your arms... there is nothing better... My husband, mom and sister, all in the room with me, were really scared by my health and progress... I was clueless... But I was told that I came very close to dying during delivery... Now it seems like a lifetime ago, and I would do it all over again, and again... 4 more times, 4 more blessings... My oldest son was 13 last Monday...

There isn't a Holy Week that goes by since then that I don't stop and think about the one spent in the hospital 13 years ago... I was tired, sick, hungry, frustrated and at times a little lonely, and it gave me a glimpse at what Jesus and His Mother must have felt... but to hold that new life in my arms at the end of it, made all the difference. this it the time that we meditate on Jesus' suffering and death... He did that for us.. so that we may have that new life in Him... So that we may have that new life WITH Him, forever... Take time over these next few days in quiet anticipation of what is to come... With all that is going on in the world , God is still in control and we can still count on Him to help us through. Have a Blessed and Holy Triduum...

I'm Still Here...

I have been neglecting my blog this week, it has REALLY been hectic! Since we use a charter school, this last week the school had what they call "History Camp" at our local Pioneer Village. The kids get to attend Monday - Wednesday, learning something new each day about life during the pioneer times and bringing home various projects to show what they've learned, from candle making to home made pickles, to sewing, etc... Then on Thursday, the last day of the camp, all of the public school kids are bussed in to the Village, where our kids share with them the various things they've learned. Anyway! Normally it's one of my favorite weeks of the year, where I get the opportunity to have a little "me" time. But this year, my sister, God BLESS her! gave me a well needed hand in house hunting. Yeah, after 20 years in our little bitty home, we've decided it's time to move... But after this week, I know why I have put it off for so long... House hunting can be REALLY stressful... Finding the right home in the right place at the right price is draining...

As far as the hunting goes, we have yet to find "the one". There was one that was a "definite possibility", but when I called about it, it was already in escrow... : ( So! Back to square one... my husband is taking this next week off, so there will be more time to look, between dentist appointments, and Holy Week happenings...

So! Between History Camp, and house hunting, we've been working on our Parish Cross project. Each week during Lent different families were asked to participate in creating a "Lenten cross" that represents that weeks Gospel. We got Palm Sunday. They gave us a blank cross and a print out of the Gospel to read together. After reading through it a couple of times, my oldest son wrote down some notes and the little ones drew some ideas. That was LAST week. Yesterday we finally got busy trying to put some of the ideas together and this is what we came up with... I think it turned out pretty good. The younger ones helped with some of the painting and my oldest did most of the drawing artwork. I'm pretty proud of them... : )

Largest CA Abortuary Owner Loses 9 of His Own...

I don't wish ill on anyone... but I DO wonder if a tragic situation such as this would even cause these people to make the connection and THINK ABOUT what their business actually is, and the loss that it brings...


Credit goes to Multimedia Pro-Life news...

Notre Dame Student Groups Respond

Ya know... it is THEIR graduation... wouldn't you think that they should have a say on WHO gives the commencement address?... It is a shame, really... The statement is as follows:

NOTRE DAME STUDENT GROUPS DENOUNCE UNIVERSITY’S CHOICE FOR
COMMENCEMENT SPEECH

NOTRE DAME, IN, 25 March 2009 — A number of student groups at the University of Notre Dame issued a statement today repudiating the University’s selection of President Barack Obama to deliver its 2009 Commencement Address. The statement criticizes the president’s position on abortion, embryonic stem cell research, and other life issues, and chastises University administration for apparently looking over what they termed “fundamental moral principles.”

The statement responds to Friday afternoon’s announcement of Obama as the speaker for the
University’s 164th Commencement. Citing Catholic teaching on abortion, as well as the US Bishops’ 2004 document "Catholics in Political Life," which deals with issues surrounding a Catholic response to politicians who advocate abortion, the student statement expresses “deepest opposition” to the decision. “This is not a partisan issue; rather, it’s an issue of respect for human life, and our Catholic character. We want to emphasize that we are not attacking the office of the President, but taking issue with his moral stances. I think the statement makes it clear that the student body of Notre Dame is not unequivocally in favor of this decision,” said senior Emily Toates of Notre Dame Right to Life.

An Ad Hoc committee sponsored by a coalition of University-sponsored student groups has been
organized to lead student response. These groups include Notre Dame Right to Life, Jus Vitae (Notre Dame Law School Right to Life), the Irish Rover independent student newspaper, Notre Dame College Republicans, The University of Notre Dame Anscombe Society, The Identity Project of Notre Dame, Notre Dame Knights of the Immaculata, Notre Dame Children of Mary, the Orestes Brownson Council, Notre Dame Law St. Thomas More Society, and the Federalist Society of the Notre Dame Law School.

Contact:
Chris Labadie
NDresponse@gmail.com
www.NDresponse.com

STUDENT COALITION STATEMENT ON THE 2009 UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME
COMMENCEMENT CEREMONIES

In defense of the unborn, we wish to express our deepest opposition to Reverend John I. Jenkins, C.S.C.’s invitation of President Barack Obama to be the University of Notre Dame’s principal commencement speaker and the recipient of an honorary degree. Our objection is not a matter of political partisanship, but of President Obama’s hostility to the Catholic Church’s teachings on the sanctity of human life at its earliest stages. His recent dedication of federal funds to overseas abortions and to embryonic stem cell research will directly result in the deaths of thousands of innocent human beings. We cannot sit by idly while the University honors someone who believes that an entire class of human beings is undeserving of the most basic of all legal rights, the right to live.

The University’s decision runs counter to the policy of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops against honoring pro-choice politicians. In their June 2004 statement Catholics in Political Life, the bishops said, “The Catholic community and Catholic institutions should not honor those who act in defiance of our fundamental moral principles. They should not be given awards, honors, or platforms which would suggest support for their actions.” Fr. Jenkins defends his invitation by saying that it does not honor or suggest support for the President’s views on abortion, but rather support for his leadership. But our “fundamental moral principles” must be respected at all times. And the principle that requires us to refrain from the direct killing of the innocent has a special status even among the most fundamental principles. President Obama’s actions have consistently shown contempt for this principle, and he has sought political gain by making light of its clear political implications. Leadership that puts the lives of the most innocent at risk is leadership we must disdain. In the face of President Obama’s actions, Father Jenkins’ words ring hollow.

It is a great irony that the University has chosen to award President Obama an honorary law degree. As the oldest Catholic law school in the country, the Notre Dame Law School states that its mission is “to facilitate greater understanding of and commitment to the relationship between law and social justice.” The social justice issue of our day is the deliberate, legal attack on the most vulnerable members of society, the unborn. To award a Notre Dame law degree to a lawyer and politician who has used the law to deny equality to the unborn diminishes the value of the degree itself.

Additionally, Fr. Jenkins has placed some of his students in a moral dilemma as to whether they should attend their own graduation. Many pro-life seniors, along with their families, are conflicted about whether to participate in the commencement ceremony. The lack of concern for these devoted sons and daughters of Notre Dame, who love this University and the Catholic principles on which it was built, is shameful.

In response to the University’s decision, we pledge ourselves to acts of witness that will be
characterized by respect, prayerfulness, outspoken fidelity to the Church, and true concern for the good of our University. It is appropriate that only members of the Notre Dame community lead all such protests, and we ask outside groups to respect our responsibilities in this regard. Over the next several weeks, in response to this scandal, our organizations will host various academic and religious events to engage the University community. We request any groups who are committed to respectful actions to support our efforts, thereby ensuring a unified front and a more compelling public witness.

In Notre Dame,

Notre Dame Right to Life
The Irish Rover Student Newspaper
Notre Dame College Republicans
The University of Notre Dame Anscombe
Society
Notre Dame Identity Project
Militia of the Immaculata
Children of Mary
Orestes Brownson Council
Notre Dame Law School Right to Life
Notre Dame Law St Thomas More Society
The Federalist Society at Notre Dame Law
School

Statement from Bishop D'Arcy

Regarding President Obama's agreeing to give the commencement address at Notre Dame this year, Bishop D'Arcy had this to say:

Concerning President Barack Obama speaking at Notre Dame graduation, receiving honorary law degree
March 24, 2009
On Friday, March 21, Father John Jenkins, CSC, phoned to inform me that President Obama had accepted his invitation to speak to the graduating class at Notre Dame and receive an honorary degree. We spoke shortly before the announcement was made public at the White House press briefing. It was the first time that I had been informed that Notre Dame had issued this invitation.

President Obama has recently reaffirmed, and has now placed in public policy, his long-stated unwillingness to hold human life as sacred. While claiming to separate politics from science, he has in fact separated science from ethics and has brought the American government, for the first time in history, into supporting direct destruction of innocent human life.

This will be the 25th Notre Dame graduation during my time as bishop. After much prayer, I have decided not to attend the graduation. I wish no disrespect to our president, I pray for him and wish him well. I have always revered the Office of the Presidency. But a bishop must teach the Catholic faith “in season and out of season,” and he teaches not only by his words — but by his actions.

My decision is not an attack on anyone, but is in defense of the truth about human life.

I have in mind also the statement of the U.S. Catholic Bishops in 2004. “The Catholic community and Catholic institutions should not honor those who act in defiance of our fundamental moral principles. They should not be given awards, honors or platforms which would suggest support for their actions.” Indeed, the measure of any Catholic institution is not only what it stands for, but also what it will not stand for.

I have spoken with Professor Mary Ann Glendon, who is to receive the Laetare Medal. I have known her for many years and hold her in high esteem. We are both teachers, but in different ways. I have encouraged her to accept this award and take the opportunity such an award gives her to teach.

Even as I continue to ponder in prayer these events, which many have found shocking, so must Notre Dame. Indeed, as a Catholic University, Notre Dame must ask itself, if by this decision it has chosen prestige over truth.

Tomorrow, we celebrate as Catholics the moment when our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, became a child in the womb of his most holy mother. Let us ask Our Lady to intercede for the university named in her honor, that it may recommit itself to the primacy of truth over prestige.

To me, this man just sounds so sad and disappointed...

h/t to WICatholic

This Interview Sent Shivers Through Me....

"I was lied to...." That's what kept running through my head over and over again... They are words that former feminist activist, and abortion survivor, Jane Brennan said during her testimony... She was in such a vulnerable position the first time she walked in to an abortion clinic when she was "bombarded" by the "support" of so-called liberated women... The sad result was, loss, anger, emptiness and a freedom she could never find... She was seeking it, she was wanting it, but it seemed to stay just out of her reach... Thank God Jaine DID find freedom, but it wasn't until she broke away from the clutches of feminists like Sanger and her followers... Watch Mike Wallace's interview with Sanger, and read Janies story... The TRUTH should be obvious... h/t to Patrick Madrid.

Obama at Notre Dame...

I was going to blog about this days ago, when it first came out, but, well, life's been a little crazy... more on that later...

Anyway, pro-lifers have been making their voices heard about the outrage we feel for one of the United States most well known Catholic Universities INVITING the most pro-death politician, who happens to also be our current president, to speak at their commencement address. I, personally have notified and encouraged the alumni that I happen to know and be related to, to speak up, as well, and invite their friends to do the same...

You can catch up with the latest at the Creative Minority Report.

Why Waste a Tantrum...

I can SO relate to this! lol...

Women Deserve BETTER than Abortion!

"Abortion strips women of their dignity, and men of their responsibility to women...." Janie is very blessed with her ministry, and she has touched many hearts... God Bless her! It is wonderful to hear from someone that has been there and can touch BOTH sides of the debate. God has showered her with grace and healing in sharing her own story, and in response she will touch many more... I was so touched by her testimony and I encourage you to check out her website, read her book, listen to her CD's and see about having her come to your parish or pro-life event. In her message, she calls on everyone of us to NOT give up our most powerful weapons, prayers and fasting. Do NOT write these women off, but pray for them. Pray FERVENTLY for them, because our prayers do not go in vain. they are POWERFUL and they work. As she gratefully acknowledges, as radical of a feminist that she was, SOMEONE was praying for her....

Also at our banquet we met and heard the music of Catholic singer-song writer Donna Lee. Another beautiful soul with a powerful message for those hurting after abortion.

Giant Bioengineered Crabs...

I admit that I can sometimes have a weird sense of humor, but, come on!! This is funny! : ) Thanks to that Regular guy, Paul...


Somewhere out there, there's a politician thinking, "ya know?... that's a REALLY GOOD idea!"

"Feminists groups do not care about women.....

"They care about abortion...." So says my friend and author Jane Brennan. Her latest article in Catholic Online literally brought tears to my eyes... I am so proud of her and all the time, effort and personal sacrifice that she has given this past year in order to bring the TRUTH of abortion forth to people on both sides of the fence. She knows... she's been there.... I am grateful to God for having met her, and calling her my friend.... I'm even MORE thankful that she will be here in my own town, speaking at our local Right to Life Banquet this next Tuesday evening... You can find out how to have Jane come and speak at your parish through her website at Motherhood Interrupted.

I Don't Know if it Can Get Any Dumber Than This...

And I'm afraid to ask.... "Embryos can't be Fertilized" Read/listen to it for yourself, draw your own conclusions... It would be laughable if it weren't so pathetic... Thanks to Elizabeth for the heads up!

White House Council on Women and Girls...

A thank you to the girls at Defining Beauty for bringing my attention to the newly created White House Council on Women and Girls. Great, right? I mean, we should feel wonderful that women's health and other "issues" are important enough for our president to create our own council, right?... The council is defined as: (comment mine)

"The White House Council on Women and Girls will ensure that agencies
across the federal government, not just a few offices, take into account the
particular needs and concerns of women and girls. " -as long as they are in
line with their agenda....

A look at the list of attendees is enough to send a shiver down my spine...
The short list of attendees that stood out to me were:

United States Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA)
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA)
United States Representative Tammy Baldwin (D-WI)
Kim Gandy, NOW
Silvia Henriquez, National Latina Reproductive Health Institute
Nancy Keenan, NARAL
Mara Keisling, National Center for Transgender Equality
Ellen Malcolm, Emily's List
Darlene Nipper, Gay and Lesbian Task Force
Laurie Rubiner, Planned Parenthood
Vicki Saporta, National Abortion Federation

Seriously, where are the pro-life women representatives? I mean, if they want what is best for women, and believe that women should have a choice then there should be an option to their agenda right?... So they can make a choice?... In what way does a pro-life option harm women and girls? Why aren't they invited and included in this newly formed "council"?... I'm not fooled... this new council doesn't make me feel better for women's rights at all...

A Day at the Park

Doing our school lessons, I have to admit, is REALLY hard when we have had the BEAUTIFUL weather we have had the last few days... High 60's/low 70's under CLEAR skies... We decided to make a day of it and get away to the park for a couple of hours last Tuesday... We met up with some old friends and their daughter, my little God-daughter : ) and the kids had a blast playing while we BIG people sat and soaked up some sun while chit-chatting....

Jesus in My Home...

5 And when Jesus was come to the place, looking up, he saw him and said to him: Zacheus, make haste and come down: for this day I must abide in thy house. 6 And he made haste and came down and received him with joy. (Luke 19: 5-6)

Something I am struggling with this lent... Do I see others as Jesus sees them? Am I doing ALL things for God/Jesus? Am I doing all in LOVE?... It is so easy for me to get caught up in to my everyday life. Hubby goes to work and I have my job... There are clothes to wash, kids/babies to feed, dishes to do, lessons to teach, diapers to change and a house that I must at least attempt to keep some amount of order to... It's easy for me to feel taken advantage of... So, I've decided that the trick is really to do as Jesus really taught us to do. See others as HE sees them, and ultimately to treat others as if they were Him (whatever you have done to the least of these, you have done unto me....). and isn't that really all he asks of us?... It isn't always easy, trust me, I know... but put in to practice, it really does help.... for that, I am grateful...

So, if you will excuse me, I'm off to do some of Jesus' laundry and try and decide what I'm going to make Him for dinner this evening... : )